Kisses from Katie

When I first came across Katie Davis founder of Amazima, I sat at my computer in awe and honestly questioned if I was living out my own purpose.

In 2008 at the age of 19, Katie Davis founded an organization called Amazima. This ministry has many facets including a child sponsorship program, which provides the child with schooling, supplies, three hot meals a day, and medical care. Her program now has 400 children in it.

In addition, “Katie also reached out to the Karimojong people of the Masese community. The poorest of the poor, and losing their children to malnutrition and starvation at an astounding rate, she noticed their desperate need for nutritious food. She started a feeding program to the community, nourishing over 1,600 children Monday through Friday. This allows the children to attend school and therefore not go to the street to beg. Also provided is medical care, Bible study, and general health training.”

Not only has she founded both of these programs, she also initiated a self-sustaining vocational program to help the women of Uganda provide better for their families. They make handmade magazine necklaces and sell them in the United States and online at AmazimaStore.org.

Katie now has thirteen daughters that she has adopted and takes care for daily. She shares her beautiful story and daily challenges through her blog and book entitled Kisses from Katie, which was released this month.

Obviously, not everyone’s purpose in life is to move to Africa, adopt thirteen girls and start a nonprofit organization. But what is your purpose? And are you living it out?

After almost two years of being in marketing and public relations, I am returning to teaching. A thought that initially ran through my mind was that my job would no longer be “cool” or “interesting.”

But during my short time in marketing and public relations, I constantly thought about the bottom line – making money. I also thought about making more money for myself. It became a rat race – never satisfying and always wanting more.

Teaching is hard. It’s not babysitting like many may think. It’s creating well developed lesson plans, managing a class of 25 or 30 and constantly evaulating yourself and the students.

I did not initially go into teaching English because I merely enjoyed literature, grammar or writing (although I do). I went into it wanting to be an example, a role model and to teach students the important aspects of life.

I’m not Katie. And I will probably never accomplish the things she has already accomplished at the age of 21.

Katie plans on opening a school in 2012. She continues to allow her vision to grow. I’m sure she has been scared at times embarking on a journey that she may never had thought about before. But what a beautiful, selfless story of sacrifice and love!

For the past couple of years, I have wanted to start a nonprofit. One day, I’d love to have a program that promotes self esteem in young girls and educates them properly on issues that many are too afraid to talk about.

I don’t normally announce my goals or dreams. But Katie has inspired me to keep dreaming and to know it’s possible to see them realized.

What is your purpose? What is the one thing that you know you’re supposed to do but may be afraid to do so?

Let Katie’s story inspire you.

A Touch of Fall

This weekend was the first time I added a little fall to the house. I really do love this time of year. The cool night air, decorating with pumpkins and even Halloween is so great before the holiday frenzy.

Flowers and table runners are just a few things I've added. Even the pillows my mom gave me give off a fall feel. This weekend, I plan on going to the farmer's market or the church down the street to purchase gourds and pumpkins as decorations for my table and porch.

Day Job to Dream Job

One of my favorite blogs to visit is called MakeUnderMyLife.com - its focus is to design a life with intention with many valuable articles on running your small business and the journey it takes to get there. Jess who runs the blog also has a successful online jewelry business called Jess LC.

If you're a frequent reader to the site, you would know about the term "midnight hustler." A midnight hustler is one who seeks to start their own dream business with the plan of quitting their day job. I love this term and would love to hear your feedback.

Are you in your dream job? Or are you a midnight hustler with the plan or simply the thought of starting your own business one day? What would you consider your dream job? Is being self-employed an exciting thought?

Head on over to BeautyGirl to join in on the discussion.

A New Tradition

Almost every Saturday morning for the past month, we have found ourselves at the Pepper Place Farmer's Market. An array of colors are a sight to see with rows of booths filled with fresh, homegrown vegetables and fruit. Another section of the market includes all things handmade. I love seeing someone's craft and always appreciate the amount of detail and work put into it.

One of the best parts of all is that it's pet friendly. I can't tell you how many times we get stopped each visit for someone to pet Manley. Pets bring people together, and there are more Dachshund lovers out there than I thought. He gets so much attention and always takes a long nap afterwards. : )

Here are a few highlights from our Saturday trip to the farmer's market:

On the way

A Profound Phrase

 

For better or for worse- the most profound phrase ever created.

Love is far more than a feeling. If you depend on your "feelings" to get you through a tough situation, you might as well hang it up.

Love is a choice. It's deciding to throw away the petty things. It's a decision to live unselfishly. It does not point out wrongs. It's patient. It's kind. It's unfailing. Those things described definitely aren't feelings. They're attributes that we have to work pretty darn hard at.

I'll leave you with this song by the sultry John Legend. 

Photo found on Stumble Upon.

The Bubble Life

I made a goal today - the BeautyGirl site will be up by the morning, even if that means that I stay up till morning. Let's have a party to celebrate! You in? : )

On another note, I've been thinking a lot about the importance of being open - open to learning, to change, to challenges.

When I was in college, I began to form a broader worldview. Growing up in a small Southern town does not offer you much perspective. However, in college, I met many international friends who taught me so much. Their beliefs were different than mine, but that didn't bother me. Rather, it intrigued me to make sure I knew what I believed. Their culture was different than mine. Instead of turning my nose to it, I embraced it. I loved learning about the many things that made them so different than I am from food to clothing and their way of life.

Nowadays, I catch myself living in a bubble- a tiny bubble that only consists of my pesky problems, my friends, and my family. It's rather quite self-centered, but I think we're all like that. If not, I'm really putting myself out on a limb here.

From the movie, Bubble Boy. I haven't seen it, but it seemed appropriate. 

When we live in our bubbles, we have a narrow perspective on...everything. We forget about the world around us and many times fail to even educate ourselves on it. The countries at war or the natural disasters in other areas don't seem to affect us.

If I had it my way, I would travel the world (who wouldn't, right?). And I would go to as many countries as possible and see how others live.

Obviously, I need a pay check and retirement would be nice, too, so that type of lifestyle may never be afforded to me.

However, I can commit to learn - to be open to other people, to educate myself on other things that do not pertain to my little world.

I really think that if we step outside of ourselves for just a moment - we will grow in ways that we never imagined. Our problems will seem minute when the microscope is turned away.

And we may just form a new appreciation for one another and our own lives.

The Simple Things

The most simple things can bring happiness and therapy to our lives.

Flowers and fresh fruit are among the simple things I love.

I used to think flowers were a waste of money. And I've never been a huge fan of red roses. $50 for a bouquet of roses will never make sense to me. However, a few dollars, I can do. It freshens up your space. And fruit from the farmer's market is always nice, too. Honestly, I think it's the memory you make walking along the booths at the market that makes the fruit so good.

Relationships: oh so complicated sometimes. But not with my niece and nephews.They're so much fun, say the funniest things, and you get to return them when done. : )

Pets, need I say more? I don't want to think of ever coming home without a friendly hello from my pup. I'm biased, of course, but he's the cutest thing I've ever seen.

The simple things...isn't that what life is all about?

What simple things bring you joy?